Sled



ire

SLED

Filed Dec. 23, 1958, Ser. No. 782,495

3 Claims. (Cl. 280-12) This invention relates to a ski device.

The object of the invention is to provide a ski device which can be used on a body of water, or on ice, snow or the like.

Another object of the invention is to provide a ski or sled device which is adapted to comfortably and conveniently support a rider, so that a person can conveniently travel across a body of water, ice or the like.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a ski or sled device that is simple and practical in construction, strong and reliable in use, eflicient and durable in operation, inexpensive to manufacture and install, and otherwise well adapted for the purposes for which the same is intended.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described in plan, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the aqua sled of the present invention, showing the device equipped to travel on ice or snow.

Figure 2 is a side elevational view of the device, showing the device ready to be used on water.

Figure 3 is a bottom plan view of the device with the parts arranged as shown in Figure 2.

Referring in detail to the drawings, the numeral 1%) designates each of a pair of spaced parallel similar skis which each embody a main fiat portion 12 and an upturned front end 11. A pair of spaced apart support members 13 are secured to each ski 10. There is further provided front and rear braces 14 and 15 which extend between the skis 10, and each of the braces includes downwardly extending sections 16 which are secured to the support members 13. The front and rear braces 14 and 15 are arranged in spaced parallel relation with respect to each other, as shown in the drawings.

There is further provided a pair of spaced parallel beams 17 which have their rear ends secured as by welding to the rear brace 15, and the beams 17 are spaced from each other so as to define a space 18 for a purpose to be later described, Figure 3. A curved clamp 19 is provided contiguous to the beams 17, and the beams 17 as well as the clamp 19 may be secured as by welding to the front brace 14. The numeral 20 indicates a hook which extends forwardly from the clamp 19, and the book 20 may be engaged by a towing cable, rope or the like.

The numeral 22 indicates a seat which is supported on the beams 17, and the seat 22 has a bolt or securing element 23 depending therefrom, the bolt 23 extending through the space 18 which is provided between the bars or beams 17. A locknut 24 is arranged in engagement with the bolt 23, and a washer 25 is positioned above the nut 24-. Thus, by loosening the nut 24 the seat 22 can be shifted to the desired location on the beams 17 and then the nut 24 can be tightened. The space 18 between tat atet TQQ the beams 17 provides sufiicient clearance for the bolt 23 to travel in or move through.

The foot engaging members or straps 21 are secured to the skis 10 in any suitable manner.

Secured to the rear brace 15 or formed integral therewith is a pair of spaced apart lugs 26. There is further provided bars 27 which are pivotally connected to the lugs 26 by means of pivot pins 28, and hand gripping portions 29 are formed on the front ends of the bars 27, there being pointed brake members 30 on the rear ends of the bars 27, and the members 30 can be arranged in engagement with the ice or snow so as to provide a convenient means for steering the device.

Referring to Figures 2 and 3 of the drawings, there is illustrated a modification wherein the ice engaging members 36 are omitted and wherein rudders 31 are used -in stead so that the device equipped as shown in Figures 2 and 3 is especially suitable for use on water. Each of the rudders 31 includes a flange 32 which is secured as by means of securing elements 33 to the lower rear portion of the skis 10, and each rudder 31 further includes a vertically disposed portion 34-.

From the foregoing, it is apparent that there has been provided a sled or ski device which can be used for any desired purpose. With the parts arranged as shown in Figure l, a person may sit on the seat 22 and have his or her feet engage the members 21. Then, with the device moving along ice, snow or the like, the portions 29 of the bars 27 can be gripped and due to the provision of the pivot pins 28, the bars 27 can be moved so that the pointed members 3b can be moved into and out of engagement with the ice or snow and this pro vides a convenient means of steering or stopping the device. The hook 20 can be engaged by a cable, rope or the like, and the device can be propelled or moved by any suitable means.

In Figures 2 and 3 the device is shown arranged to be used on water and wherein the bars 27 are disconnected or removed and the rudders 31 are installed. In the arrangement shown in Figures 2 and 3, a person can sit on the seat 22 and place his or her feet in engagement with the members 21 and the rudders 31 will help balance or maintain the stability of the device as for example when a boat is being used for towing or pulling the device through water, and such a boat may have a towing cable connected to the hook 20. As previously stated, the seat 22 can be adjusted to diiferent positions so as to suit the comfort of the user.

The parts can be made of any suitable material and in different shapes or sizes.

The fins or rudders 31 are removable so that the device can be used on snow in the wintertime. The arms or bars 27 can be used for guiding the device on ice or snow by applying an upward pressure to the handles 29 so that friction will be created against the ground or ice so that steering and turning can be readily accomplished. Furthermore, if desired, a sail may be attached to the device so that it can be used as an ice sled.

Thus, it will be seen that there has been provided a device which incorporates a pair of water skis which are joined together by lateral braces and longitudinal braces or beams. The skis may be constructed of plywood and the rudders 31 afiord stability. The braces 14 and 15 can be readily detached so that the entire assembly can be shipped in knockdown condition so as to occupy a minimum amount of space for storage or shipment. The seat 22 may be constructed of plywood or the like, and may be padded with foam rubber and covered with a suitable material. The seat 22 is adjustable for long or short legged people by loosening the nut 24. The straps 21 afford the rider a footrest as well as providing an additional means of balance when maneuvering the device. The hook 20 permits a tow rope to be attached when the rider is being pulled to the planing position on top of the water.

When the device is being operated, the rider simply mounts the device in water deep enough so as not to drag the bottom and then a rope is attached to the stern of a boat such as a boat that affords propulsion for water skiing. Then, a steel ring which may be incorporated into the tow rope is attached to the hook 20 until the rider and sled are in the planed out position and then by pulling forward on the rope the rider detaches the ring from the hook 20 and is pulled the same as a Water skier. To maneuver the device the rider need only lean in the direction he Wishes to go and this causes his weight to be shifted so that extra drag on one ski and reduced drag on the other ski will cause the sled to turn.

Minor changes in shape, size and rearrangement of details coming within the field of invention claimed may be resorted to in actual practice, if desired.

I claim:

1. In a device of the character described, a pair of spaced parallel similar skis each including a main fiat portion and an upturned front end, a pair of spaced apart support members secured to each ski, front and rear braces extending between said skis and each including a downwardly extendingsection connected to a corresponding support member, said front and rear braces being arranged in spaced parallel relation with respect to each other, a pair of spaced parallel beams having their rear ends secured to said rear brace and their front ends secured to said front brace, a curved clamp adjacent the front ends of said beams secured to said front brace, a hook connected to said clamp, a foot engaging member connected to each ski, a seat supported on said beams, and a securing element depending from said seat and projecting through the space between said beams, said seat adapted to be adjusted to different positions.

2. In a device of the character described, a pair of spaced parallel similar skis each including a main flat portion and an upturned front end, a pair of spaced apart support members secured to each ski, front and rear braces extending between said skis and each including a downwardly extending section connected to a corresponding support member, a pair of spaced parallel beams having their rear ends secured to said rear brace and their front ends secured to said front brace, a curved clamp adjacent the front ends of said beams secured to said front brace, a hook connected to said clamp, a foot engaging member connected to each ski, a seat supported on said beams, a securing element depending from said seat and projecting through the space between said beams, spaced apart lugs secured to said rear brace, bars pivotally connected to said lugs, hand gripping portions on the front ends of said bars, and pointed brake members on the rear ends of said bars.

3. In a device of the character described, a pair of spaced parallel similar skis each including a main fiat portion and an upturned front end, a pair of spaced apart support members secured to each ski, front and rear braces extending between said skis and each including a downwardly extending section connected to a corresponding support member, a pair of spaced parallel beams haivng their rear ends secured to said rear brace and their front ends secured to said front brace, a curved clamp adjacent the front ends of said beams secured to said front brace, a hook connected to said clamp, a foot engaging member connected to each ski, a seat supported on said beams, a securing element depending from said seat and projecting through the space between said beams, and rudders secured beneath the rear ends of said skis.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 665,184 Creighton Jan. 1, 1901 1,559,390 Waller Oct. 27, 1925 2,382,150 Hartman Aug. 14, 1945 FOREIGN PATENTS 130,401 1 Sweden Dec. 19, 1950 26,646 Switzerland Feb. 25, 1903 38,193 Switzerland Nov. 7, 1906 200,210 Switzerland Dec. 16, 1938 

